Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, I am consistent on this issue all the time, unlike others who have come to the table late. Obviously, the need for connectivity is critical. I welcome the existence of the fund, but there is a proposal on the table concerning the re-establishment of the Cork-Dublin flight. I acknowledge that the public service obligation, PSO, levy regulations preclude certain activities. There is, however, a barrier to competition and creating effectiveness in the promotion of inbound tourism. In our case in the south, due to the commercial activities of a certain airline that withdrew its flights, there was an knock-on effect in the case of others. On the commercial proposition being put forward, the Minister of State spoke of the fund being a sub-portfolio of the ISIF. Is the fund available to parties interested in providing a commercial service with reference to a Cork-Dublin flight?